A one-day symposium on “Stem Cells & Cancer – India 2019” with theme of detection and therapeutic interventions of stem cells in cancer was organized by Sathgen Biotech A division of Godavari Biorefineries Limited, National Centre for Cell Sciences and Somaiya Vidyavihar, Mumbai.

The symposium brought together renowned personalities in the field of cancer research including, Dr. Christopher J. Logothetis academicians, research students and industry delegates.

Samir Somaiya, CMD, Godavari Biorefineries of which Sathgen Biotech is a division said, “Since its inception in 2007 Sathgen Biotech has been working on developing drugs, which could work to eliminate cancer stem cell population, drugs which will also work in combination with existing chemotherapies to eliminate cancer-related mortality. Stem cell therapy is a new targeted method being evaluated by various academic & research groups across the globe. This symposium is being organized to address the most updated research and information available in the area of cancer stem cell therapy. We believe that collaboration between industry, research centres & academic institutions can work towards finding new and innovative methods to understand cancer & eventually circumvent it.”

Dr. Christopher J. Logothetis, Department Chair and Professor of the Genitourinary Medical Oncology Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, USA, said “Research is all about precision and how focused we are. In his journey, his research work experience in the hospital has helped him to upgrade his knowledge in healthcare.”

He further said that the future of science can be only improved if we work together.

Former Director of Tata Memorial Centre Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer Dr. Chiplunkar spoke about importance of creating awareness about the causes of cancer, translation of all cancer related research for common man is needed. 

Governing Council Member of K J Somaiya College of Science and Commerce Dr. Mani Sendurai, Co-Director, Center for Stem Cell & Developmental Biology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston mentioned that prevention is the best medicine ever. Diet & pre diagnosis is what we need to focus.

He also spoke about the biology of primary tumour growth as well as metastasis. He explained how more than 20,000 genes are affected by mutation and gene expression and how each one of them are co-relate with primary tumour.